Hinged tissue implant and related methods and devices for delivering such an implant

Abstract

A device for treating a heart may comprise a myocardial section configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart and a vessel section configured to be positioned in the coronary vessel. The vessel section may be connected to the myocardial section and be configured to articulate relative to the myocardial section. The myocardial section and the vessel section may form an integral, single piece structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a medical implant for inserting into body tissue and a method of delivering and using such a medical implant. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also may relate to an implant configured to provide flow communication between blood-containing coronary structures, such as, for example, between a heart chamber and a coronary vessel or between two coronary vessels. BACKGROUND [0002] An implant for insertion into body tissue may have various uses, such as providing flow communication between two body parts, delivering drugs into a body part, or serving as a sensor, controller, or monitoring device, for example. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the following paragraphs describe an exemplary use of an implant, such as a stent or conduit, for example, to treat blockages in coronary vessels. The examples discussed below do not constitute a limitation on the scope an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the implant and delivery tool designs may permit percutaneous delivery and proper positioning without great complexity. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the implant may have a relatively small profile so as to facilitate delivery and implantation. Moreover, in exemplary embodiments, the design of delivery tools, such as delivery catheters, for example, to deliver the implant may be simplified.

Problems solved by technology

Coronary arteries, as well as other coronary vessels, frequently become clogged with plaque which, at the very least, can reduce blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle (myocardium).

The plaque also may impair the efficiency of a heart's pumping action and lead to heart attack or death.

In more difficult cases, performing a surgical bypass of the blocked vessel may be necessary.

Such conventional coronary artery bypass surgery, however, may be expensive, time-consuming, and traumatic to a patient.

Furthermore, many patients may not be suitable surgical candidates due to other concomitant illnesses.

A problem that may be encountered when using a stent or other type of implant is migration.

Migration may create a risk that the stent may not be positioned so as to establish an unobstructed passageway for blood flow.

The contraction of the passageway may reduce or entirely block blood flow through the stent, thereby rendering the stent less effective in providing an unblocked channel of blood flow to the coronary vessel.

In addition to the reduction or complete blockage of blood flow, migration of the stent from a designated location potentially will interfere with other structures in the heart and may pose serious risk of embolization.

Another problem associated with these techniques involves delivery of a myocardial implant.

In particular, when using a percutaneous technique, implantation and positioning may prove difficult.

For instance, during percutaneous delivery, positioning using X-ray images, fluoroscopy, or the like may not be sufficiently accurate, which may result in the implant being placed too high or too low with respect to the vessel.

Moreover, delivery techniques and tools can be relatively complex.

In addition, when delivering implants with self-deploying seating mechanisms, such seating mechanisms may be difficult to orient and angle, and there also may be limited feedback regarding positioning of the implant to the physician, for example when using fluoroscopy.

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